Hemfjellnyr

City Description

Population: ~ 3500

Founded: 2245 (145 years ago)

A name that simultaneously accepts the world for what it is and drives a spike of anger into many of the citizens of Vad, Hemfjellnyr means "New Mountain Home" in Draconic, a reference to the Scaleback Mountains in Highcroft, the original home of the dragons of Vault. Founded just a handful of years before the Firetide War, Hemfjellnyr was the dream of a group of Vadians tired of living for war in the Drakar Highlands, tired of living for glory in the Carapace Badlands, and tired of living in fear in the Castoff. They longed for the shared history of dragons and mortals, living side by side in harmony throughout Vad, without having to fight for or against something. They grew weary of the idea that someday Hemfjell, the draconic name for the Scaleback Mountains, would be retaken, and decided instead to create a new age of peace in this new land.

The problem is the great warriors of Vad see Hemfjellnyr as an admission of defeat. To create a "New Mountain Home" is to abandon the original home which is their by rights. And to a degree, they are correct. The people of Hemfjellnyr have no interest in returning to Highcroft or fighting for their homeland. This is their home now, and they have made the best of it. While the rest of Vad does not openly oppose the people of the Hemfjellnyr, they harbor no love for them and their defeatist attitude. And within this space, the people have Hemfjellnyr have thrived.

The city itself is a testament to the fruits of cooperation and hard work. Largely a farming community, the true magic of Hemfjellnyr is not just its agricultural prowess but rather the way in which they do it. While no Elder Dragon makes residence in the city, hundreds of other dragons have decided to live alongside its citizens and help them create something special. Dragons can always be seen flying through the skies of Hemfjellnyr, delivering packages, watering crops, transporting civilians, helping hunting parties, and all manner of job that needs to be done. They are not only capable but very happy to participate in a life of peace and quiet, as it's not an opportunity many dragons get in the wider world of Vault. And the people of Hemfjellnyr make sure to pull their weight as well. Citizens of the city are constantly working on construction and repairs, raising cattle, growing crops, and all the things a pair of hands and thumbs can do well.

But the true wealth of Hemfjellnyr lies within the coastal caves along the Gulf of Gales. Large amethyst crystals, called "Vinda" by the locals, grow within those caves. Much like crops themselves, the Vinda are harvested once a year in a city-wide festival called "Vinda-Skorva," where the all of Hemfjellnyr descend into the caves while eating, drinking, and singing, to see how many Vinda they can harvest. At the end, the "Vindasworn" is crowned based on who could gather the most. It is the Vindasworn's job to take the Vinda, along with their chosen dragon, to a faroff place where the Vinda are sold. This location is unknown to anyone not a part of the Vinda-Skorva, but whoever is buying the Vinda ensures Hemfjellnyr is well paid.

The Vinda have qualities pertaining to the wind, the moon, and the sea, although the people of Hemfjellnyr are very protective of their secrets.

City Landmarks

Vinda Caves - these caves at the base of the city are an extensive tunnel system of glowing purple crystals. The air within the caves feels soft and cool, the perfect temperature to whomever enters. The waters are clear, delicious, and free of dangers. The people of Hemfjellnyr love the Vinda Caves dearly and protect them, and their secrets, at all costs.

Rusty's Rusted Relics - despite the disdain much of Vault holds for Hemfjellnyr, there are those in the city who are obsessed with the other cultures of the region. Rusty's Rusted Relics hires on groups of adventurers to scour the Carapace Badlands to bring back all manner of doodads and mechanicsms that Rusty himself then cleans up and displays. Rusty may not know what they all for or what they're for, but he manages to let people know the piece's entire stories regardless.

Volaries - while not a single location, the Volaries of Hemfjellnyr represent an important part of the city's culture. Citizens will often grow a bond with a dragon or family of dragons and they'll decide they'd like to live near one another. In such a case, either the homes of the people or the homes of the dragons, called a Volary, are built side by side, sometimes even connecting to each other. The dragons of Hemfjellnyr enjoy open skies, so homes are often modified to ensure the people and the dragons all have what they need.

Resplenda's Tea and Gardens - a favorite relaxation spot for many of the dragons of Hemfjellnyr, as well as the majority of its people, are the gardens. Resplenda, the proprietor of the gardens often hires on newborn dragons to help her tend the massive estate, and has a full staff on hand creating new teas every week. It's a common weekly treat to relax in the gardens after a hard day's work and try what new creations Resplenda has on hand.

Scorcher Bath House - a group of natural springs that are kept heated by a young red dragon named Scorcher. She takes great pride in people who take a dip and immediately leave due to being unable to withstand the heat. Those who can take the pain, however, are treated to a wonderful experience of waters cleansed by Vinda and heated by Scorcher, leading to a renewing experience.

Starlight and Grim - even though most of Vad keeps their hatred of Hemfjellnyr to themselves, there are still some who harass the city. When violent interactions arise, the people of Hemfjellnyr unleash Starlight and Grim, two large canons operated by dragons, mounted on top of the lighthouse and clock tower respectively. While it takes an incredibly long time for them to load, there has yet to be a situation that couldn't be solved with one shot.

Wring Field - a sport more or less localized to Hemfjellnyr, Wring involves dragons and riders needing to fly through a floating hoop while possessing a large ball which both individuals are needed to carry.

Saddle Co. and Accessories - while no citizen of Hemfjellnyr could ever hope to match the Drakewardens of Drakar for skill and combat prowess, nor the bond they share with their dragons, that doesn't stop them from riding their friendly dragon companions to accomplish all manner of task, both for work and entertainment. Saddle Co. and Accessories specializes in creating beautifully adorned leather saddles for everyone from an experienced rider to children on their first trip to the skies.

The Holy Pantry of Harsk - the citizens of Hemfjellnyr largely believe in the divinity of the Elder Dragons along with the rest of Vad, but many of them are open to the Creation Pantheon as well. To that end, one of the most famous houses of worship in the city is the Holy Pantry, a temple devote to Harsk, in which the aroma of delicious foods being created can be smelled throughout the day. Anyone can enjoy a meal for free, which brings in many travelers and refugees from the Carapace Badlands and Frusning, as well as some Drakar. It is even said that Harsk himself sometimes comes to make a nice meal for the people of Hemfjellnyr.

People of Note

Strunga Strange: Female Orc, current Vindasworn and local hero, runs an orhpanage for displaced Badland children
Pazzo Izzipizzip: Male Gnome, construction worker and city heartthrob, when he builds new Volaries it often draws a crowd of admirers
Dortirrgan: Female Dragonborn, leader of Hemfjellnyr and mechanic for Starlight and Grim, always found in the lighthouse
Bartles the Bargainer - Male Human, the town treasurer and one of the few who knows where and why the Vinda are sold